It’s been a month since moving to Missoula to work for DFTBA. How have things been going?
I haven’t yet updated my drivers license nor registration, as the local DMV is only open while I’m working—but I registered to vote. While the local transtrenders hates what Gianforte (our govenor) did to the trans community in this state, I think what he did was the right thing, requiring SRS before allowing documents to be updated to reflect a sex change.
I have engaged more with the local lgbt community in the past month than I have in the past two years since COVID hit. Karaoke, meet-and-greets, history lessons on the two-spirit.
I also changed my phone number. Instead of getting one with the local 406 area code—bro, I was hammered on alcohol, but to relax and not drown out my problems for once!—I stupidly decided I wanted one still located back in Jersey. I didn’t want one with my old redneck area code, but the one originally assigned to NJ (area code 201), to show off my scruffy, Jerseyan heritage. I could have paid for one, but I wasn’t going to scrap up $50 when I could play the system a bit. The problem … I thought I had all my 2FA accounts covered, except with my domain registrar. I am awaiting for them to validate who I am so I can update my info to my new number, and see if I can use the new 2FA addition to iOS instead.
This chapter of my life is based on a seasonal, but full-time position at a local warehouse. I doubt I will upgrade to a permanent position, but it pays the bills for now. I am easing into living on my own and taking care of myself without mooching off my parents anymore.
So far the culture locally and professionally has been far more laid back than anything back east. People want to help me discover new sites. People are helping me network. Cooperation means more than competition, whether informally or at work. It’s also a liberal haven, which I am not quite used to, being surrounded by so many people with somewhat similar values to my own; I am so used to be the odd man out, that it a completely different experience.
I still hate the cold and short days. That’s the only things I so far hate about out here.
